If you or someone in your family had a mental or physical disability, how would you feel if you heard people say, "I don’t want them living near me," "Those people are dangerous," "Once they move in, my property values will go down," or "No thanks, not in my neighborhood."

Unfortunately, thousands of people with disabilities and their families hear these words all too often.

The fact is, people with disabilities have been living in community programs such as group homes and apartments across New Jersey for more than two decades. They have been living, working, going to school, making friends, attending church -- in short, living their lives -- just like all of us.

People with disabilities deserve a home of their own, and all of us have an obligation to abide by the federal law that protects their right to live where they choose, without discrimination.

Today, their success stories are played out every day in homes across New Jersey -- homes with a proven track record for being good neighbors.

So, consider this: if you had a disability, wouldn’t you like to have the chance to be a good neighbor, too?